Belgian prosecutors announced Friday that eight individuals face charges including corruption, money laundering, and involvement in a criminal organization, stemming from an investigation into alleged bribery within the European Parliament.
These charges follow an announcement on March 13 by Belgian prosecutors that several people had been detained concerning suspected bribery within the European Parliament, purportedly benefiting Huawei.
On March 13, Belgian investigators conducted raids on 21 locations in Belgium and Portugal. A judge has since requested that the offices of two parliamentary aides be sealed.
According to Belgian prosecutors, the alleged corruption had been occurring “very discreetly” since 2021, disguised as legitimate commercial lobbying. It involved payments for specific political stances or extravagant gifts, such as meals and travel, or frequent invitations to sporting events.
Prosecutors allege that Huawei was the beneficiary of the bribery scheme.
Huawei stated that it is taking the allegations seriously and will urgently engage with authorities to gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation. The company emphasized its zero-tolerance policy regarding corruption and other forms of misconduct.
The prosecutor’s office stated on Friday that of the eight charged individuals, three are under electronic surveillance, two have been released, and three remain in custody.
No further details were provided.
The European Parliament has acknowledged receiving a request for assistance from Belgian authorities concerning the investigation and pledged its full and prompt cooperation.
In late 2022, the EU was shaken by the ‘Qatargate’ scandal, involving allegations of cash-for-influence. Belgian authorities charged four individuals linked to the European Parliament, suspecting that Qatar and Morocco had bribed politicians, parliamentary aides, and NGOs to sway decision-making within the EU assembly.
That investigation remains active.
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